downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst
Community centre Cllr Darling fed back on the results of the survey, which would be sent to the pre-school and the village hall commi�ees.A summary would be printed in the next edition of the Parish News. Play equipment The parish council’s funding application toMaidstone Borough Council was successful, resulting in a grant of £10,000 to replace the zip wire. Cllr JohnMerrick was thanked for his hard work. He will be meeting suppliers to ensure the best deal. Allotment course Following feedback fromCllr David Till who had a�ended a course on allotmentmanagement, councillors resolved that: at least three quarters of a plotmust be cultivated; shedsmay permi�ed on plots one to five and eight, with prior approval fromthe council; greenhouses are permi�ed on all plots with prior approval, but no glass must be used; all sheds, greenhouse and other structuresmust bemaintained by the tenant and removed at the end of the tenancy; no solid fencing should be installed between plots.
Broomfield & Kingswood
Council office Cllr TomHoy recommended the council investigate alternative properties to house the parish council office. Responsible finance officer (RFO) Gail Gosden outlined the mandatory procedures necessary for a loan to purchase. She advised councillors that, due to the need to set the 2019/20 precept soon, thema�er needed immediate a�ention should any actions be required in the next financial year. Sports field – Councillors thanked RFO Gail Gosden for securing £20,000 in Maidstone Borough Council funding for equipment and repairs to the sports field. Village sign Councillors resolved to place the village sign to the right of the finger post at the junction of Broomfield Road, Gravelly Bo�omRoad and Duck Pond Lane. Memorial bench Permission had been granted to site aWWImemorial bench near the noticeboard in Cayser Drive, but concerns had been raised by a resident about anti-social behaviour. It was agreed to place both benches in the Sportsfield. Crime reportA vehicle was damaged when an apple was thrown out of a car coming the other way. The rear window of a parked vehicle was smashed but nothing was stolen. HedgeMartin Taylor Smith fromKCC Highways has spoken to the owner of the property with an overhanging hedge. They had said it would be rectified under their planning application.
Detling
Public forumA resident raised concerns regarding the vegetation growing
34 Maidstone East December 2018
through the rubberma�ing around the new play equipment in the Old School Playing Field. The resident told the parish council that the gate fromthe village hall to the playing field was being left open and she considered this to be dangerous. ParkingA resident raised concerns about the number of vehicles parking on the pavements in the parish and she suggested that raising public awareness may assist with thisma�er. TrafficA resident spoke about the traffic in the village and an article that was published in the Detling News regarding the option of having a one-way systemin the parish. Cllr Clayton stated that the parish council was looking at options to tackle traffic issues in the parish. He stated that having a community police volunteer was a good initiative. Flag pole Cllr Clayton purchased a flag pole and flags. He stated that the flagpole would be erected next to the village sign and the pole could be put up when necessary. Planning permission was not needed for this. Open Spaces The chairman stated that it was proposed that the parish council set up an open spaces commi�ee to deal withma�ers concerning the parish open spaces Beacons of Light The chairman spoke regarding the Beacons of Light event and proposed an alternative option of having a centenary seat in the Old School Playing Field tomark the event. Old School Playing Field Cllr Bowie reported that a public consultation event had taken place on Saturday, September 1 in the village hall to ascertain the electorate’s views on siting the community shop on the Old School Playing
Field.Approximately 41 people had a�ended the event andmost were in support of the community shop being sited at the playing field. Two objected the proposals. Cllr Bowie congratulated the community shop group for their display at the event and thanked RTS Creative for their assistance with the display boards. Donations to the shop had now reached £4000. Trees It was reported that there were two dead trees in the Old School Playing Field. Cllr Bowie stated that the trees need to be removed and the crown lifted. Handrail Cllr Finn reported that the handrails to the steps at Jade’s Crossing were damaged and lying on the ground and the bridge was overgrown with vegetation. Bonfires Cllr Bowie informed Cllr de Wiggondene that there was a reported problemwith bonfires in the parish. He stated he would look into thisma�er. Neighbourhood Cllr Howells spoke regarding a Detling Neighbourhood Plan and reported he was due tomeet with an officer fromMaidstone Borough Council to discuss this. Fire hydrantsMr Taylor raised concerns about accessibility for the fire hydrants in the parish as cars were regularly parking
over them. The clerk agreed to put an itemin the Detling News regarding the importance of keeping the area clear.
Harrietsham
Warden’s report The Community Warden spoke about national news and TV reports about gangs targeting youngsters to act as drugs carriers. Although there was no firmevidence to suggest a problemin Harrietshamor Lenham, it was agreed families and schools need to encourage youngsters to report any approaches or concerns. The warden gave school absence, changes in behaviour andmood, receiving lots of textmessages, and having a second phone as signs of a possible problem. Cold callersMembers were told about an incident in which a resident had been targeted to buy a Lifeline fob. Unfortunately, the company had subsequently gone into liquidation just days later. The warden reminded the public of the risks associated with buying fromcold callers. Befriending service The clerk reported Age UK’s new free phone befriending service on 0800 0556112 and said that she had received details about the service. Police report PCSO Boyd reported five crimes in the parish since July. They were: criminal damage, theft froma vehicle, damage to a vehicle, theft froma garage and a burglary. The officer said the biggest issue had related to a scuffle outside the village hall onAugust 11. He added that the correct safeguarding policies needed to be in place to protect the whole community and these should be reviewed by the hall trust. Light request The clerk agreed to ask if a light was to be installed on the new pedestrian refuge on theA20 by the Chantry Green development, following a request froma resident. Cllr Griffiths said he understood there was no stipulation that they have to be lit. Co-option Cllr Griffiths proposed that Mr Roots be co-opted on to the parish council and this was seconded by Cllr
Moore.Mr Roots had previously been co- opted and all were in favour. Lake algae The council agreed a third treatment to eradicate the algae on the lake. Initial treatments had been
successful.Members agreed that the company who fi�ed the aerator would complete the treatment when it serviced the equipment. Payments It was agreed to increase the annual rent for allotment holders from £13 to £15. Cllr Foster commented that if the allotments was a commercial business, it would be running at a loss. Comments on the facilities available on the new allotment site were discussed and it was felt an additional payment would be needed for tenants if a water supply was laid on. Drains Councillors accepted a quote for work to be carried out to repair pipework cracked and being obstructed by tree
Parish Councils
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